Practice Report | Oct. 26, 2013

Practice Report | Oct. 26, 2013

The big news from the team’s first practice since Tuesday was the fact that the Wolves have gotten their roster down to 15 players.

In the last two days, the Wolves have announced the cutting of Lorenzo Brown, Othyus Jeffers and Chris Johnson. Johnson was the only player on the team’s roster last season, but with the depth of the center position, head coach Rick Adelman thought the team was set for big guys.

“There’s a combination of things, you know,” Adelman said. “We feel with Pek and Ronny, and G (Gorgui) played very well, and so, we’re comfortable with those guys.”

While it looks like the roster is set, that isn’t the case with the rotation or even the starting lineup for that matter.

Adelman noted that he would ideally like a nine-man rotation, but notes that he might have to put it at 10 early on.

“I really today know if it’s going to be nine or 10,” Adelman said. “… We know four out of the five starters, sure, I know J.J. behind Ricky, D.C.’s (Dante Cunningham) been very good, Ronny’s been very good. It’s going to be hard.”

The starting small forward position looks like it will come down to Corey Brewer and Derrick Williams. Brewer is one of the league’s best players coming off the bench, so it’s tempting for Adelman to have him coming off the bench as an energy guy.

Brewer just wants to get on the court and start the season.

“I really don’t have a preference,” the defensive-minded small forward said. “Whatever coach needs me to do to help the team. It’s all about winning. It starts on Wednesday and it’s all about getting to the playoffs.”

The Wolves will practice again tomorrow, and if it was anything like to day, it will be a long one. Adelman said the team will probably go hard again tomorrow before pumping the brakes a bit on Monday and Tuesday.

The Wolves open up the season 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Target Center against the Orlando Magic. After that, they face Kevin Durant and the Thunder on Friday. Tickets are available by calling 612-673-1234.

Quick Hits

New general manager Milt Newton was in attendance for Saturday’s practice. He looks like he’s in some pretty solid shape and could probably hold his own for a bit against the young lads.

Brewer noted that Oklahoma City is much different team without point guard Russell Westbrook, who is out with a knee injury, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Thunder will be easier to beat.

“They are going to be different, a lot different, but Kevin (Durant) is going to get a lot of touches, so we’ve got to kind of try to contain him and make other guys beat us. We’ve got to start first and get Orlando and get that first win under our belt.”

After practice, the Wolves announced that they have picked up the fourth-year options on Williams and point guard Ricky Rubio. The move didn’t come as much of a surprise.